In contrast to the intense and expensive battle for the Democratic nomination for insurance commissioner, the contest among five contenders on the Republican side is poorly financed and well out of the limelight. Focus group interviews conducted by a GOP political consultant in Sacramento have given as strong an indication as any that the Republican candidates in the state's first election for insurance commissioner have only a slim chance of victory in the November general election.

In contrast to the intense and expensive battle for the Democratic nomination for insurance commissioner, the contest among five contenders on the Republican side is poorly financed and well out of the limelight. Focus group interviews conducted by a GOP political consultant in Sacramento have given as strong an indication as any that the Republican candidates in the state's first election for insurance commissioner have only a slim chance of victory in the November general election.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates Dianne Feinstein and John Van de Kamp competed for bragging rights as defenders of minorities and consumers Saturday as they campaigned in opposite ends of the state. Speaking in Los Angeles to delegates at the 43rd annual state convention of the League of United Latin American Citizens, Feinstein reiterated her pledge to name Latinos to 25% of the appointive jobs in her administration, equal to the percentage of Latinos in the state's population.